The soldiers and Dae were already dressed.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71KvWJwnDn
They had gathered at the gate outside the villa, deep in discussion.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDYFGiHy1E
Each wore a dark suit and had combed back their hair with cream.
That’s when the villa’s door opened—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpvrouxqxy
and Rayshel stepped out.
Thanks to the slit in her long vermillion dress, her strong, smooth leg was visible.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzNenP9eMA
Red pearls hung around her neck, and her braided hair was adorned with a white flower.
To the soldiers, she had only ever been a war maniac on the battlefield.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQnatpzxa5
This was something new.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEbed9DtGB
And frankly—a good sight.
Some struggled to close their mouths, their jaws aching from shock.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMHPpKyjCx
The only one whose face revealed nothing was Dae.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB9vmOpUDp
Still, even he couldn’t take his eyes off Rayshel as she approached.
Each step was elegant. Commanding.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB94GuIngn
Her swaying hips were a graceful rhythm.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4cE2TSBcE
Her red lips moved as she reached him.
"How do you find me?"
Dae’s nose—and brain—were already overwhelmed by her strawberry perfume.
"Hey, Dae? And?"
"You look stunning, Rayshel."
"Hihihihi, thank you! You also look handsome. A good change, wouldn’t you say?"
"Yeah. But we won’t stay long."
"Don’t ruin the mood. Relax."
She swung her arm around his and pulled him closer, dragging him along as she spotted the carriage.
"Woah! Let’s go!"
She ran forward, Dae still in her grip. He sighed—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOXJrDP8uX
but a smile crept across his face.
The man driving the carriage opened the door for them.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T4fL6rPhp
Just then, a line of other carriages arrived for the rest of the soldiers.
Into Dae’s carriage stepped Pandora, who had chosen a similar style to Rayshel’s—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyzjNewg3K
but everything on her was midnight blue.
As Pandora entered, Rayshel’s eyes remained locked on Dae.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasmPsGb9bw
Specifically, his eyes.
Dae, of course, was looking in the opposite direction—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xgkwXNk56
which drew a small, knowing smile from Rayshel.
Pandora sat down, and the carriage took off.
Somewhere in Dafton City
Everyone had gathered.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT6szSzSyf
Sarah, Emilia, and Rick were seated at a table alongside Michael and his people.
No one stood out—except Michael.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeOUp5t0K7
The group included older men and women, children, and a few soldiers.
"Will this even be enough?" Sarah asked aloud.
Before Michael could answer, an old man spoke up first:
"I know what you’re thinking.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsOIBYne3H
We don’t have many fighters—and you’re right.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA71VpyCmBN
But with my weapons, everyone here becomes one."
They brought in weapons that gave off faint gold and violet glows.
"These weapons were forged using the soul of a demon or angel.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vXWDM7MEQ
But don’t confuse them with what others have.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj2dBLOMdW
They follow similar rules—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYHZLpBRDt
but the souls used here are extremely small. Their egos are not present in the weapon."
"What would’ve happened if their ego was present?" Rick asked.
"Then it’s possible the ego might take over.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtYfkuDhe0
You see, when a ghoul is born, part of the demon’s energy enters the human body.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP20jj1zFXY
But only energy—not the soul or body.
What some people have done, though, is use energy from demons after they’ve already possessed someone.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkAlHRB5tQ
In those cases, their soul crosses over—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvVNBmXg6u
and that’s dangerous."
"I see," Sarah said.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTw95OQj9Q
"But I assume this way, the wielder is safe—though the weapon is weaker?"
"You’re right," Michael added.
Beside him stood a short man with black hair and golden eyes—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkemMZRKkO
clearly a possessed one.
"Luckily, we have our smith. He was possessed, yes.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4dBk9EaWJ
His ability is to create and enhance weapons.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKhaOhdRJR
He made his own gear and fused it with angelic weapons—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdutM6Fwnz2
ones I stole from the King himself.
Then he enhanced them.
With these weapons, even a normal human can take on an angel.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxM2JWx9ir
Believe me."
"Is there a catch?" Emilia asked.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncXMhZdtyN
"These weapons are powerful. There must be a price."
"A smart woman," Michael grinned.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjgYqICjPk
"Surprisingly, no. There’s no curse. No cost.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8SfinDx3C
However, the wielder must be mentally strong.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3OmGpzb5e
Not physically—mentally.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhImEEvDbFP
Most of the people here passed that test.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbnuxBNoeY
That’s why we’re even here—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKgh68BQXJ
because we were mentally stronger than those still living in Paradise.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReHgPtSZp9
We saw the lie.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBXP0Zppk8
And we ran—knowing life out here would be harder.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbzd67LqHv
There’s only one problem:15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYLitqkm3t
There can only be 100 of these weapons in existence at once.
I don’t know how big the enemy army is—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEAKVa1znC
but this fight won’t be easy.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2susr1CsC
Many will die.
During the battle, I’ll confront the King.
Our priority is saving people—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZvft0a7Wm
and showing them the truth behind Paradise.
Then a small group will head to America—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d7S4okw5F
and destroy the altar.
Any questions?...15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQpfXXkWOh
Then let’s move. President, take your people.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizfmwxx3yx
You’ll need your weapons."
In Paradise
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal villa—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviTd5GUclq
even grander than Pandora’s.
Guests were dressed in the most extravagant clothes.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9jvN3R1W8
Every outfit looked like it cost a fortune.
Dae was the first to step out.
Then he heard Rayshel behind him.
"Didn’t you forget something, mister?"
Dae turned and offered her his hand, helping her down.
Rayshel puffed out her cheeks.
"One minus point!"
"Excuse me? What?"
"One minus point, I said. You’re supposed to be a gentleman! Hm!"
Dae offered his arm again.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWEPpsJy58
Rayshel immediately clutched onto it, beaming.
The couple approached the villa, where a man stopped them.
"And you are?"
"They’re with me," Pandora said.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTTEGOAKDo
He let them through.
The main hall opened before them.
People danced across the caramel-colored floor, shining beneath golden chandeliers.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02V93wKIhV
A buffet surrounded the dance space. Tables stood nearby.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoiAv8NwDj
To the right, a door led to the dining hall.
"Enjoy your time," Pandora said, excusing herself.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMkbjgcfu2
"I have some matters to handle."
Dae turned to his soldiers.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoHvY4UYfH
Their eyes darted across the room—toward the women, the food, the wine...15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7W2ls0fkG
There was so much to take in.
"Alright, listen to me! No one gets drunk.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84ET39FHU4
We spend two hours here—then we leave.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJubMm5xFV
And while we’re here, look for information. Anything strange.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD6Zh2sjW3
If you find something, report it immediately.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZEils6tfx
Dismissed!"
The soldiers dispersed.
In a Cell
(Glacia: I can feel it. We don’t have much time. Something is coming.)
"Say… why do you hate me so much?15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkYLakcWnL
Yes, you’re stuck in my body—15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2xumDGlEe
but so are other demons and angels.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkqaTS9caG
Your rage… your hate—there’s more to it."
(Glacia: …)
"Well, I figured—if we’re dying anyway—why not get to know each other better?"
(Glacia: And what will that change?)
"What will it change not to?"
(Glacia: Nothing. But I’m bored anyway… Fine. I’ll allow you to hear my story.)15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wDcOjVMmb
